EEOC TO LAUNCH MAJOR EXPANSION OF ITS MEDIATION PROGRAM

WASHINGTON -- As part of the Clinton Administration's Civil
Rights Initiative, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) will announce the kick-off of its national mediation program
on Thursday, February 11, at 11:00 a.m. at EEOC Headquarters, 1801
L Street, N.W. (First Floor Training Facility).

"What EEOC has learned is that matters resolved through
voluntary mediation result in win-win outcomes for employers and
employees alike," said EEOC Chairwoman Ida L. Castro. She
continued: "Mediation is a fair and efficient voluntary mechanism
to resolve employee/employer discrimination issues to the
satisfaction of both parties, preventing undue delays and bringing
matters to closure quickly and fairly. We want employees and
employers to understand these benefits and avail themselves of a
totally confidential and separate process."

Ms. Castro explained that EEOC''s kick-off program, "Mediation:
A National Call To Action," stems from the call by the
Administration and Congress for EEOC to implement a vigorous
mediation program as a means to improve service to its customers,
who include both employees and employers. In fact, videotaped
remarks from Vice President Gore will be a prominent feature of the
event this Thursday. Another highlight of the program will be an
open roundtable discussion with agency stakeholders representing
all sectors affected by EEOC charge processing and enforcement
activities. The representatives will provide their perspectives on
mediating discrimination charges brought to EEOC and what effect it
has had or could have on their constituents. Representatives who
will participate in the dialogue, presided over by Chairwoman
Castro, include:

In addition, senior EEOC staff will discuss the details and
implementation of the agency's mediation initiative, display new
educational and outreach materials, and unveil a mediation section
on EEOC''s Internet home page (www.eeoc.gov). Invited guests
include members of Congress and the Administration, as well as
dozens of representatives from a variety of stakeholder
organizations.

The Commission plans to establish a significant mediation
program at every field office across the country in fiscal year
1999, utilizing up to $13 million in new budget funds requested by
the President and authorized by Congress for that purpose. The
amount is part of EEOC's overall FY 1999 budget of $279 million, a
15 percent or $37 million increase from the previous year. EEOC
will use the new funds to hire mediation coordinators at every
agency district office, hire a core of internal and external
mediators, and increase education, training, and outreach on the
mediation process.

EEOC enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which
prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion,
sex, and national origin; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act,
which prohibits discrimination against individuals 40 years of age
or older; sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Equal Pay
Act; Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which
prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the
private sector and state and local governments; and the
Rehabilitation Act's prohibitions against disability discrimination
in the federal government.